7th Eastern India Microfinance Summit 2023

“The Next Gen Microfinance - Role of digital technology in the evolving roadmap of Microfinance”

13th of January 2023 at the Lalit, Kolkata Organized by: AMFI-WB Knowledge Partner: PwC

In Partnership with: MFIN and Sa-Dhan

8.00 AM to 9.30 AM	Registration
Inaugural session 9.30 AM to 11.30 AM	Lamp lighting National Anthem AMFI-WB Story – a video documentation Inaugural Session The inaugural session will discuss the key issues around the main theme of the Summit “The Next Gen Microfinance - Role of digital technology in the evolving roadmap of Microfinance” The key issues discussed in this session will include: How can digital transformation help in achieving financial Inclusion? A retrospective on the past historical learning and how the MFIs can step into the evolving landscape ahead. What are the key trends and scenarios in the microfinance industry after the new regulatory framework in 2022? How will MFIs cope with the underlying opportunities and challenges in seeking digital transformation? What can be the best possible practices in Indian microfinance to navigate the evolving digital landscape Welcome and Introduction: Ajit Kumar Maity, Chairperson, AMFI-WB Inaugural address: Mr. Chandra Shekhar Ghosh, MD, Bandhan Bank Keynote address: : Shri Sudatta Mandal, DMD, SIDBI, Mumbai. He and his team also Launch the Women Entrepreneurship-Livelihood Enhancement and Development, (WE-LEAD) Program, supported by SIDBI: “PROMOTING 10,000 WOMEN ENTREPRENURES FROM AMONG THE SHG/JLG MEMBERS THROUGH ENTERPRISE & SKILL BUILDING TRAINING & BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT SERVICES IN WEST BENGAL” by AMFI-WB. Special address: Dr. Alok Mishra, CEO & Director at Microfinance Institutions Network (MFIN) Special Address: Mr. Sudip Kumar Sinha, IAS, Secretary, Finance Department, Government of West Bengal, Nabannya Special Address: Shri Rajesh Pandey, IAS, Principal Secretary, Department of MSME, and Textile, Govt. Of West Bengal, Special Address: Mr. Jiji Mammen, Executive Director, Sa-Dhan Special Address: Shri Joydeep Roy, Partner, PwC. He would release the Thought Leadership paper. Special Address: Shri Mohammad Abdul Awal, Executive Director, Credit and Development Forum (CDF), Bangladesh. The following dignitaries shall call on Dais/Podium for Special Address: Special Address: Shri Md. Enamul Haque, COO, ASA International, Dhaka, Bangladesh Special address: Smt. Deepmala Ghosh, GM, NABARD, Kolkata Regional Office Special Address:Mr. Sujay Kumar Yadav, GM, Network-II, State Bank Of India, Local Head Office, Samriddhi Bhavan Special Address – Shri Prakash Kumar, CGM, SIDBI, Mumbai Memento presentation to Bank delegates/dignitaries – this memento presentation would continue throughout the Summit as per their presence in the Summit. Felicitation to Annapurna Financial Services Pvt. Ltd. For Biggest NBFC-MFI in Eastern India as far as Pan India Portfolio is concern. Book Launch at the 7th Summit – Roller Coaster – An affair with Bankers – By Shri Tamal Bandapadhyay
11.30 AM to 11.45 AM	Tea break
11.45 AM to 1.00 PM	Breakaway session: Session – 1 (In GBR – 1): Role of emerging technologies and digital rails in enabling transformation for MFIs The stakeholders in the MFI industry such as FinTechs, regulators, government and SROs have a key role to play in the digital transformation of the industry. The industry can also rely on a number of technology initiatives and digital rails that have facilitated easier identity, reach and information access for traditionally underserved customer segments. This session will explore the opportunities the digital rails provide to the MFI industry. Identity rails: How can MFI players utilize innovations through Aadhar, E-KYC and other identity rails to streamline reach and on boarding? Data rails: Can initiatives such as the account aggregator framework, and OCEN significantly propel MFI disbursements and risk management? Transaction rails: With continued innovations in the UPI and payments space through APBS, AEPS, what are their opportunities for MFIs to capitalize on? Discuss other upcoming initiatives that could impact the MFI space, such as the role of PDP (Personal Data Protection Bill), Digital Personal Data Protection Bill, other data regulations, and cyber security requirements. Moderator:  Shri Avhijit Chakraborty, PwC Speakers: Shri Purusottam Jena, Zonal Manager, Barasat Zone, Bank of India Dr. Kuldip Maity, MD, VFS Capital Shri Santosh Kumar Bharati, Deputy General Manager, Circle Head, Punjab National Bank, Zonal Office, Kolkata Shri Dr. Neil Patel, Co-Founder & CEO or Mr. Gaurav Bhandari, VP - Marketing and Business Development, AwaazDe Shri Prasenjit Maji, DGM, IDBI Bank, Zonal Office, Kolkata Session – 2-(In GBR – 2): Way forward: Reimagining the future state and strategic roadmap to achieve inclusion: In this session, we invite the panellists to crystal ball gaze at the target future state of the microfinance industry over the next 5 years and what would be the strategic initiatives and enablement required to build the road map. What is the ideal future state of the microfinance industry in 5 years? What are the capabilities that MFIs need to develop in order to achieve this vision (talent, technology, partnership and innovation strategy. etc) What are going to be the top three enablers, (for example regulations, capital access. etc) from the larger MFI ecosystem to achieve this vision? Moderator:Vivek Belgavi Speakers:Shri Biju George K. Chief General Manager, IDBI Bank Limited, WTC Complex, Mumbai Or Shri M.C. Sunil Kumar, GM, Priority Sector Group (Agri & MSE), IDBI Bank Limited, Head Office, Mumbai Shri Vivek Tiwari, MD, Satya Microfinance Shri Alok Biswas, MD, Janakalyan Financial Services and Pvt. Ltd. And Inditrade Microfinance Limited, Mumbai Shri Gaurav Seth – CFO, Airtel Payments Bank Shri Ashish Agrawal, Director, Resurgent India Limited
1.00 PM to 2.00 PM	Networking Lunch
2.00 PM to 3.15 PM	Session – 3: Analyzing the financial inclusion landscape (customer segment, macroeconomic trends) Financial inclusion ensures access to essential financial services for the underserved section of society. MFIs play an important role in improving financial inclusion by addressing the credit gap which exists in the ecosystem through the provision of micro-credit This panel focuses on the current state and trends being witnessed for the different ecosystem stakeholders in the MFI landscape (borrowers, lenders, donors, regulators and government). Key topics discussed by the participants will include Demand side: What are the current trends that we are witnessing on the demand side for micro financial products such as micro-credit, micro-savings and investments (demand size and growth trends, customer segment archetypes, needs and requirements driving microfinance demands, impact of COVID on the demand) Supply-side: What are the current trends that we are witnessing on the supply side – growth trends in the number of MFI players, overall industry AUM (Asset Under Management) trends and scenarios, the growing role of banks, NBFCs and FinTechs in the MFI landscape Learning from other emerging economies such as Bangladesh, Brazil and Kenya Role of government and regulators in enabling and supporting the MFI landscape through policies, public digital infrastructure goods, and various market enablement initiatives. (Examples of existing initiatives that have been helpful) Current funding trends from institutions and multi-lateral agencies for raising capital by MFIs to rationalize the cost of capital and meet the current microcredit demand.   ModeratorShri Tamal Bandapadhyay, Consulting Editor, Business Standard and Senior Advisor, Jana Small Finance Bank Shri Jiji Mammen, Executive Director, Sa-Dhan Shri Anjan Dasgupta, MD, ASAI Shri Gurpreet Chatwal, MD, CRISIL Or GM, CRISIL Shri Abhijit Ray, U.C Inclusive Credit, Bangaluru Shri Arup Kumar, CGM, SIDBI, Zonal Office, Kolkata Shri Prakash Kumar, CGM, SIDIBI, Mumbai Office Shri Arup Kumar, CGM, SIDBI, Zonal Office, Kolkata Shri Prakash Kumar, CGM, SIDIBI, Mumbai Office
3.20 PM to 4.20 PM	Session – 4: Opportunities vs. challenges for MFI across the value chain A typical lending value chain consists of functions such as customer acquisition, on boarding, risk assessment and underwriting, disbursement, loan service monitoring and collections. These sections will deep-dive into discussing some of the challenges, the role of technology to address these challenges and resulting opportunities across the value chain. Discuss some of the key challenges related to customer reach and acquisition, data aggregation and risk assessment from credit bureaus and other sources, last-mile delivery and servicing, collections and risk management, talent development, access to lower cost capital etc Opportunities to overcome these challenges through technology, partnerships and regulatory support through policy intervention. Discuss the various success stories/case studies of innovative approaches to address these challenges. Moderator: Shri Manoj Nambiar, MD Arohan Financial Services Ltd. Speakers Shri Dr. Alok Misra, CEO & Director, MFIN Shri Saurav Bajpei, DGM, SIDBI, Delhi Shri Neeraj Maheswari, CEO & Co-Founder, m-insure Services Pvt. Ltd. Shri Rajesh Johnny, the Co-Founder, and CEO of BranchX Shri Md. Enamul Haque, COO, ASA International, Dhaka, Bangladesh
4.25 PM to 5.30 PM	Microfinance Award declaration and Award Presentation – By PwC and MFIN and Sa-Dhan Vote of Thanks Vote of Thanks – By Shri Pranab Rakshit, MD, Sarala Microfinance Pvt. Ltd. And Shri Ganesh Chandra Modak, MD, Grameen Shakti Microfinance Pvt. Ltd.
5.30 PM onwards	Networking Tea

N:B: There may be some changes as per suggestions made by PwC and Board Members